Easter is on its way.  It’s the time of year for indulging in our favourite chocolate eggs, hot cross buns and steaming cups of tea, and maybe even making an egg hunt for the kids. It is also the time of year that tells us winter is over… and that is reason enough to celebrate!

There are so many different activities you can do over Easter. Egg painting for one, keeps the kids happy and away from chocolate for a short time! Once the eggs have dried you can keep them cosy and warm with our gorgeous egg cosies. We have shaped egg cosies in different animal designs – Bunnies, Chicks and Owls to name but a few and they all come in very handy packs of 4.

After an exciting morning of egg decorating and Easter egg hunting you may be ready for a steaming cup of tea and some relaxation time. So have our tea cosies at the ready to keep your tea pots toastie warm.

With the onset of spring and the thought of the dreaded spring clean looming, why not jazz it up with our funky, shaped aprons to make you feel that little bit more glamorous as you clean. Our gorgeous floral PVC aprons will help keep you clean and dry.  If you’re doing a massive spring clean you might be thinking of re-decorating or updating your style – why not share your tips with us…? We’d love to hear about any great home improvement ideas you may have.

As it’s almost Easter we thought we’d share a classic, favourite recipe with you that kids will love.

Easter Chocolate Krispie Chick Recipe

Ingredients:

For egg:  175g Milk Chocolate  (add a little extra for decorating)

50g Rice Krispies

To Decorate:

2x50g Mini egg bags

2x White Chocolate Buttons

250g White chocolate (melted)

50g Golden Marzipan

Method:

• Break chocolate into pieces; melt in bowl over pan of boiling water. Stir until smooth and take off heat. Stir into the Rice Krispies.
• Put ½ mix into each egg mould, the put in fridge for no more than 5 minutes.
• Carefully take the rice krispie mix out of the moulds and stick together with melted chocolate. Leave to set.
• For the eyes of your Krispie Chick, paint chocolate circles onto the white chocolate buttons and stick onto egg with melted chocolate.
• Spoon melted white chocolate into a pipping bag and decorate wings and a beak onto the chick.
• For the chicks feet roll marzipan onto a sheet of greaseproof paper and cut out feet, big enough for the egg to sit on. Place the chick on top of feet.

Enjoy!

Whether you prefer eating them scrambled, poached, fried or boiled; get involved in British Egg Week with Ulster Weavers egg cosies.

From 10^th- 16^th October, the week is dedicated to everything that is great about British Lion eggs.

Eggs are one of nature’s most versatile and nutritious foods, so if you want something quick and tasty to snack on, or a fully impressive meal, make sure you include eggs.

Egg yolks and whole chicken eggs are very popular in cooking for its significant amount of protein content. They can be eaten raw but it is not recommended due to rising health issues but fundamentally, one can create fresh healthy meals by using eggs on a tight budget.

Incorporate eggs into your dinner and tea by making eggy bread, egg curried rice and egg bubble and squeak for the whole family. Practise your culinary skills by cooking up some macaroni egg and broccoli cheese, souffleed baked potatoes and stir fried thai noodles. And instead of ordering a takeaway pizza, bake your own ham and egg pizza!

For breakfast time, liven up the morning with good ole’ runny egg soldiers, or egg on toast. If you are feeling adventurous, try egg and chive pate or just a simple egg salad sandwich.

We have some adorable egg cosies that come with a mixture of matching tea cosies and waffle weave tea towels; they are a perfect way to let the kids have some fun before school. Choose from cat and chicken shaped cosies, or beehives and owls to make eating an enjoyable experience in the morning.

There is a vast array of designs available to suit all tastes from bunny and strawberry to spotty pig and flower pot. Have fun eating the childhood favourite and dunk your bread strips into the runny yummy egg yolk- it is simply eggcellent!

So bring some excitement into the family breakfast time this British Egg Week and try making a new egg recipe each day with the help of Ulster Weavers… that’ll be all yolks!

Spotty Pig Shaped Egg Cosies

Chicken Shaped Egg Cosies

Beehive Egg Cosies

It is traditional for parents and family members to buy each other chocolate eggs for Easter. Different sizes, styles and types of eggs can be bought to suit all ages and gender; whether it is pink princess ones for girls, action packed toys story ones for boys, or plain chocolate eggs for adults.

And on many boxes there can also be quizzes and games that can be cut-out to keep the little ones amused for hours after.

But why don’t you do something new this Easter and treat your loved-one to a gift rather than chocolate confectionery?

Some people may prefer to be given a present for the home because they either don’t like chocolate or are on a diet. This is when an Ulster Weavers product is a fantastic idea, as you can still show that special person you care but purchase them something that they will actually enjoy.

Ulster Weavers gift sets are a brilliant present for any house, especially ones that are themed for the season. Our Chicken Cosy Gift Set is lovely and comes with a shaped tea cosy, egg cosy and matching Teatowel; perfect!

Or why not really get into the holiday and purchase the super cute Bunny Shaped Egg Cosies; they’ll be no excuse for rabbiting around this Easter!

Our newly arrived Chicken Door Stops are a fabulous idea and will really come in handy this summer when the doors are left open to make the house airy and cool.

Chicken Cosy Gift Set

Bunny Shaped Egg Cosies

Chicken Door Stop

Hundreds of volunteers have been knitting franticly for eight whole months to make some knit wear to make the 900^th anniversary of a town called Cardigan, in Wales.

A giant cardigan, that is 5m wide and 2.5m long, has been created by an army of 200 knitters to celebrate Cardigan’s 900th anniversary in 2010 and the town’s culture and history.

The garment depicts a castle, shops, mermaids, coracles, churches and chapels, as well as portraits of 50 young school children, who stitched their pictures as part of the design to represent the town’s future.

The cardigan was one of several anniversary projects funded by a £30,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

COMMUNITY SEWING

The Cardigan Knitting Project was designed and co-ordinated by Lisa Hellier, a community artist based in nearby Eglwyswrw.

She said: “Last year The Tivy Side Advertiser put out a request for ideas to celebrate the town’s 900th anniversary so I rang them up and it blossomed from there.

“We have used cable stitch throughout and the many threads twisted together become strong, representing our community.”

TWISTED THREADS REPRESENT TOWN BONDS

The group of knitting volunteers, who were of all knitting abilities, had met in the town hall every Sunday since March last year to work on the garment.

Ms Hellier said: “This allowed people to knit, discuss the project, pop in to pick up wool or drop off sections of the cardigan that people had knitted at home, or in hospital.”

Many pieces were also sent in from people far away who wanted to help with project; such as one contribution from a knitter in Cardigan, New Brunswick, Canada whose family had emigrated there 200 years ago.

JIGSAW MASTERPIECE

“All the pieces are in, and we are stitching it all together, which is like doing a jigsaw with no picture,” she added.

Catrin Miles of Cardigan 2010, which has organised a series of events to mark the anniversary, said the cardigan would be on display at the Guildhall during 2011.

Ulster Weavers have fantastic ranges of egg cosies, and tea cosies that are of the highest quality. They are fun and quirky cafetiere cosies to suit every taste that come with matching items to make your home stylish this New Year.

And of course, they keep your tea and coffee toastie warm!

Strawberry Shaped Egg Cosy

Birdsong Tea Cosy

Mad Hatter's Tea Party in Disney film, 'Alice In Wonderland.'

When the Mad Hatter throws a tea party in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ it is not a relaxed and dignified affair that is most often seen at a tea party.

It is a care free, hopping mad party that has everyone having a crazy and fun time.

If you are thinking of planning a Mad Hatter party, then here are a few helpful hints from UlsterWeavers.com to get you started.

Firstly, you will need;

• Invitations
• Tables
• Chairs
• Croquet set or horse shoes game
• Decorations
• Playing cards
• China
• Refreshments.

Delightful Treats to serve at your Tea Party

A Mad Hatter party is best set outside that has plenty of green lawn and places for tables.

Plan a menu

A tea party isn’t a party without finger food and light treats. Maybe a small selection of desserts and several types of teas will add the perfect touch for your menu.

Entertainment and games

Since it is a Mad Hatter party, hats would be the correct attire. Get your guests to decorate their own crazy hats to wear at the party. Include a game of croquet, just like the film as well as a few card games set at individual tables for those who don’t want to participate in a physical game something to occupy their time.

Decorative ideas to brighten up the party

Decorate your chairs and tables with covers and large ribbon bows. Maybe consider a Cheshire cat in a tree as well as a few plastic flamingos to set the scene for your Mad Hatter tea party.

Setting the table

Use nice white tablecloths on the table along with good silver and mis-matched china. Reserve each guest a seat with a little playing card with their name on it. The finishing touches always look the best.

And where would a tea party be without a tea pot? Have a few tea pots on the table so people have plenty of tea throughout the party. And don’t forget the tea cosies. Keeping your tea hot is essential and what better way to do it with a bunny tea cosy at UlsterWeavers.com. The cute little tea cosy will complete the decor on the table and the perfect accessory for your hopping mad tea party!

Send out invitations

Use handmade cards to invite your guests at least two weeks in advance. Ask them to R.S.V.P within a week.

If you are looking for more bunny rabbit accessories for your kitchen, then visit UlsterWeavers.com. The online furnishings store has an adorable rabbit linen tea towel as well as bunny shaped egg cosies to complete your collection.